Chalmette man booked with five counts of Attempted first-degree murder

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said a Chalmette man was booked on five counts of attempted first-degree murder after he opened fire on a man he knew, narrowly missing him, and endangering the lives of four passersby, two of whom were children.

Bruce Russell, 39, of the 3300 block of Laplace Street, was booked May 27 after he fired a shot at an acquaintance he had an altercation with, missing the man and striking a passing car occupied by a family of four.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the man who was involved in the altercation with Russell was not injured.

The vehicle passing by, occupied by a father, mother and their two small children, ages 6 and 7, was struck in the lower portion of the driver side front door by a .40 caliber bullet. The family, who were not involved in the altercation, also were unharmed.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call about a disturbance at a business located at 2601 Paris Road in Chalmette.

When deputies arrived, they searched the area, and questioned individuals on the scene, but observed no signs of an altercation, nor were they provided with any information by employees or patrons of the nearby businesses.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies were dispatched back to the location a short time later, when they learned Russell had earlier been involved in a verbal altercation in the parking lot with a man who works at the business. The man said Russell had left following their argument, but returned with a handgun and opened fire on him.

A warrant was obtained for Russell, who had fled the scene before deputies arrived, and he was apprehended a short time later at his home. A .40 caliber Glock handgun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered.

Russell is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $100,000 bond.